Venus Williams' hopes of a third successive Grand Slam title appear to hang by a thread because of tendinitis in her left knee.

In fact, probably only the absence of her father from the Australian Open prevented her from following sister Serena in pulling out.

The problem flared up just 20 minutes before Williams' second-round match with fellow American Kristina Brandi, but somehow she survived it, winning 6-3 6-4 in just under an hour.

Second seed Williams said: "I think my dad might have talked me out of playing, but he's not here.

"If I was playing a top player I think my chances would have been very slim, but God blessed me. I think I was just really fortunate."

Williams, whose next match is tomorrow against 32nd seed Daniela Hantuchova, is in the same half as Martina Hingis and Monica Seles, both of them easy winners yesterday, and knows she needs to be fitter to have any hope against them.

Hingis, who underwent ankle surgery in October and returned only last week, beat German Greta Arn 6-1 6-2.